Defending the Public’s Right to Hold Government Accountable

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) gives the public the right to access government records - but at least one Congressional committee has instructed federal agencies to withhold many records when responding to FOIA requests. American Oversight is going to court to challenge this new attack on government transparency and to defend the public's right to hold government officials accountable.

Last updated: August 31, 2017

Topic: National Security & Foreign Policy |
Status: Active

What We’re Seeking

Communications between five executive branch agencies, including the Treasury Department, and the House Financial Services Committee

Background

In early April, Chairman Jeb Hensarling of the House Financial Services Committee sent a letter to 12 Trump administration agencies – including the Treasury Department – instructing them that communications between the committee and those agencies should not be released to the public when responding to requests made under FOIA.

“The chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services sent a letter last month to the head of the Treasury Department instructing him to decline Freedom of Information requests relating to communications between the two offices…. The letter reads that since the Committee on Financial Services has legislative and oversight jurisdiction over the Treasury Department, all records of communication between the two offices and any documents produced remain in the committee’s control — even when in the physical possession of the Treasury Department.”

FOIA generally applies to the executive branch, and it gives the public a right to access a wide range of government records. There are a variety of reasons that the government can withhold certain information – such as to protect national security or personal privacy – but the law does not contain a blanket exemption for congressional correspondence with the executive branch, and the public is entitled to those records.